Hi Bucky, Both of my mains would not free fall all the way. They would come out about 5 inches and stop. I had NO internal leaks anywhere in my system - after you helped me with that rebuild kit - THANKS!! I replaced both over-center link springs and shortened the 2 long springs on both wheels - results? better, but still would not come down and lock. I checked my hydraulic fluid level. It was almost to the top - about 3/4 inch HIGHER than MAX. I suspected there was not enough room to push fluid back when free-falling. Some people told me the fluid level didn't matter but it did - A LOT. I reduced the fluid to mid-point between MIN and MAX and tried again. Gear came down and locked without any hesitation or problem. I have heard of over-center link
springs breaking but I CAN tell you that the new over-center springs are about 3/4 inch tighter (not installed) - (meaning the protuding part that enters the main gear leg is 3/4 inch closer in) so I conclude that after 6 years, the springs DO relax and could possibly even break. I'd suggest replacing over-center link springs every annual. They are only $20 each and worth knowing the gear will free fall if needed. Matt
Bucky Whittier <buckyw@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Re; LNC2 I just installed my new nose gear drag link replacement from Randy Snarr. It fit perfectly and appears to be built of top quality materials and workmanship. I guess I couldn’t expect less from a champion builder. Thank you Randy for your time and for sharing the retrofit with other builders. When I did a gear retract my right main would not lock when I did the freefall. I cycled the gear and tried another free fall with the same results. I found the problem which was a broken over-center link spring (torsion type). I have 430 hours on my plane and was wondering if any one else has had this problem. Bucky Whittier
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